38 Mr. R. B. Sliarpe on the Genus Glaucidium. 



To consider, therefore, the species in the above order, we 

 commence with the European bird, of which I have a good 

 series before me. The species calls for little remark, as Mr. 

 Ridgway^s characters define it thoroughly : those here given 

 by me are merely for comparison with the others mentioned 

 in this paper. It is, however, very distinct, and is only here 

 introduced on account of the affinity recognized by Mr. Ridg- 

 way between it and his G. calif ornicum. 



Glaucidium passerinum. 



Characters of the species. — Female decidedly larger than the 

 male, and generally more umber-brown, but ultimately be- 

 coming grey on the back, like the latter. Back thickly mot- 

 tled with bufiy white bars. Upper tail-coverts only slightly 

 rufescent, or darker than the back, but mottled in the same 

 way. Tail regularly banded, the white bars narrow, the in- 

 terspaces umber-brown, more or less inclining to blackish ; 

 white bands on tail, six in the female, seven in the male, the 

 bars sometimes not strictly conterminous. Head always'spot- 

 ted in the adult bird. Sides of upper breast strongly banded 

 with white. 



Young with uniform head. The full-grown young much 

 browner than the adult, the spots on the crown scanty. 



Total 



length. Wing. Tail. Tai-sus. 



a, S ad. Falun, S. Sweden 6-2 3-85 2-6 0-6 



b, ? ad. Stockholm 6-8 4-15 2-8 065 



c,[d'l;M2'-* Gardsjo, Sweden (TFAee^W;) 6-2 4-1 27 0-65 



d, ad. S. Ural (Strader) 6-2 3-8 2-Q 0-6 



Glaucidium gnoma. 



Characters of the species. — Back greyish, profusely mottled 

 with spots and bars of ochraceous white. Upper tail-coverts 

 not rufescent, uniform with back, and mottled in exactly the 

 same manner. Tail not transversely banded, but crossed with 

 seven rows of white spots, inclining to half-bands on the inner 

 web. Head distinctly sj)otted all over with white or ochra- 



* Though marked a male by the late Mr. Wheelwright, the measure- 

 ments indicate that it is a female, the sex being further showTi bv its 

 brown plumage. 



